English
This half term we have begun learning the story of Macbeth. The children have thoroughly enjoyed the story and have created some fabulous pieces of work linked to retelling the story, analysing characters, writing prophecies and letters. We are going to continue this after half term so that we can fully embrace this amazing story!
In addition to our Power of Reading unit, Macbeth, we have been taking part in Writing Workshops which have taken place across school. Using different stimuli, such as video clips and images, the children have written a setting description, a character description and an action scene. This has allowed the children to embed their skills of using word mats, drafting pieces and most importantly, in year six, editing writing with a peer.
The Reading Hour
In The Reading Hour, we have been mostly focused on embedding comprehension skills using a range of texts. This has allowed children to strengthen their skimming and scanning skills as well as their inference and literal retrieval skills. Following on from this, we have started reading ‘Beyond the Horizon.’ This book will take us through to the middle of next half term.
Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation
In GPS, we have elevated our skills, focusing on UKS2 punctuation such as semi-colons, dashes and brackets. We have also further developed our understanding of formality, which has linked well to Macbeth and the language used by Shakespeare and the authors of alternative versions.
Maths
In addition to embedding our arithmetic skills, especially around fractions, percentages and decimals, we have been learning how to measure a range of angles, read and plot coordinates and find averages. We have revised key skills on a regular basis, especially quick-fire whiteboard work alongside the countdown music. In intervention groups, children have been practising measurement skills, including money and time. As part of transition sessions, we will be learning how to read a timetable so that children feel more prepared for their move to secondary school.
Science
This half term we have been learning all about electricity. The children have used symbols to create diagrams of circuits, learnt about closed and open circuits and how electricity flows. They have also created circuits to light up a bulb and sound a buzzer. We have also learnt about conductors of electricity. In addition to this, we have discussed the use of renewable sources of energy and why this is becoming more and more usual across the world.
History
In History, our enquiry is ‘Why did Elizabeth’s Sea dogs make Phillip so angry?’ So far, we have learnt about Queen Mary and her marriage to King Phillip of Spain as well as the debt that Queen Mary left behind when she died. Queen Elizabeth had to pick up the pieces and employed four sea captains ‘sea dogs’ to help her rebuild Britain and begin the empire. Her four sea dogs were: Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, John Hawkins, and Martin Frobisher. We learnt that as privateers, they caused havoc for Spain and these men can be traced to the beginning of the African Slave Trade. We will continue this enquiry after half term, learning about The Spanish Armada.
Geography
Our enquiry this half term is ‘Why does Sylvia have the largest collection of plastic ducks in the world?’ We have learnt about the 28800 plastic ducks that fell into the Pacific Ocean following a storm in 1992. As part of this, we have mapped where the ducks have washed up which will lead to us learning about currents in the oceans and how the ducks have landed in different places in the world. We will continue this enquiry next half term.
PSHCE
This half term we have focused on preparing for Transition to high school. Anxieties amongst some of our children has been high, so we have thought about the questions we have and created some pieces to help us remember how amazing we are. These have included letters to ourselves to open on our first day of high school and a sheet to identify ‘what makes us special.’ A group of children are also working with Niall, a transition coach from BFC, who will work with the children until the end of the year, through the summer holidays and when they start at their new school in September.
Art
In Art our unit has been ‘Making my Voice Heard.’ The children have learnt about different styles of art and used different techniques and tools to recreate pieces. This has included ancient artwork, street art and imagery. The children have started to really think about their sketchbooks and creating the right background for the art they are going to create. We have also incorporated this idea of imagery into our English lessons around Macbeth.
Music
The BFG’s this half term have been playing the descant recorder. Recapping from their previous skills and knowledge from year 5 recorder work – they played Hot Cross Buns. Remembering the fingering for the notes B A G and following at the formal notation with the backing track.
They then began to learn the French folk song Au Clair Du La Lune. They have chosen to perform these two pieces to Key Stage 1 and EYFS classes.
P.E.
BFG’s focused on gymnastics this term. The children built on the skills they learnt in gymnastics last year and transferred these, along with newer more complex ways of travelling, to different apparatuses both on and off the ground. As well as gymnastics, there was also a focus on athletics. The children were taught how to sprint, which involved focusing on five key techniques. The children then applied these when they ran 20 meters. At the start of the sprinting lessons, the children were timed and a record was kept of their individual times. At the end of the term, they were timed again and a comparison was made in terms of if they had managed to beat their initial times. Finally in preparation for the Staff vs Y6 rounders game, the children were given the opportunity to practice and learn the rules of rounders.
R.E.
Theme: Beliefs and Meaning Religion: Islam Key question for this enquiry: Does belief in Akhirah (life after death) help Muslims lead good lives? Learning Objectives: We are learning that the concept of Jihad can be interpreted differently leading to different actions and consequences.
To begin with the children chose a person in their lives who, in their opinion, they felt led a good life. We discussed what a ‘good life’ would involve and look like, both from a religious and moral point of view. This then led onto discussing in depth how actions and consequences can have an effect.
Recapping their knowledge of the religion of Islam the children then discussed the beliefs that Muslims follow and how they fit these into their everyday lives. Taking into consideration how sometimes it can be a challenge/an effort/a struggle for Muslims to lead good lives e.g. it take a lot of effort to pray 5 times a day or to fast during Ramadan, the children discussed at length why this might be and what they needed to do.
In order to support the children’s learning, Mr Ahmad also shared his knowledge and experiences with the children, which led to in depth class discussions. The children were then asked a series of open ended supplementary questions to further gauge their understanding and viewpoints.